Washington - Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

The moon will appear slightly larger and brighter on Monday evening in a phenomenon known as a "supermoon."
The October supermoon is the first of three supermoons this year. The phenomenon occurs when the moon is at its closest point to Earth in its orbit, making it appear up to 14% larger and up to 30% brighter than the dimmest moon of the year, according to NASA.
Derek Betts, senior astronomer at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, says this phenomenon is "not very rare," but it occurs a few times a year and sometimes coincides with other astronomical events such as a lunar eclipse.
A supermoon can be seen with the naked eye by anyone around the world, provided the sky is clear. However, distinguishing it from a regular full moon can be difficult for those who haven't observed the moon in the days leading up to the phenomenon. "If you go out and observe the moon high in the sky, there's nothing in its vicinity that gives you a true sense of its apparent size," Bates explains, according to Euronews, adding that this time the moon will come as close as 224,600 miles (361,459 kilometers) from Earth.
The closest supermoon of the year is scheduled for November, followed by another in December.
The remarkable astronomical spectacle is expected to continue in 2026, with two lunar eclipses: a total lunar eclipse in March, covering most of North America, Asia, and Australia, and a partial lunar eclipse in August, visible across the Americas, Africa, and Europe.